Detachable dinghy or tender for sail boats

ABSTRACT

Detachable dinghy or tender for a sail boat that also serves as an integral portion of the trunk cabin of a sailing vessel or sail boat.

United States Patent 91 1 3,734,047 Burton [451 May 22, 1973 541 DETACHABLE DINGHY 0R TENDER 1,455,994 5/1923 Cowan ..9/1 R ux FOR SAIL BOATS 3,438,073 4/1969- Brown ..9/1 R James R. Burton, 6923 100th Avenue, Seabrook, Md. 20801 Filed: Apr. 28, 1971 Appl. No.: 138,036

lnventor:

US. Cl. ..114/39, 9/] R Int. Cl. ..B63b 35/00 Field of Search ..9/1 R, 12;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/1967 Lapworth ..9/1 R Primary ExaminerDuane A. Reger Assistant Examiner-Stuart M. Goldstein Attorney-Sherman Levy [57] ABSTRACT Detachable dinghy or tender for a sail boat that also serves as an integral portion of the trunk cabin of a sailing vessel or sail boat.

4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEU mzzms 3 734 047 SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR JAMES R. BURTON I ATTORNEY PATENTE m 2 2% sum 2 or 2 FIG. 7

ll m .I II II II I F i 8 INVENTOR JAMES R. BURTO ATTORNEY DETACI-IABLE DINGHY OR TENDER FOR SAIL BOATS This invention relates to a sail boat and more particularly to a detachable dinghy or tender for a sail boat that also serves or functions as an integral portion of the trunk cabin of the sail boat.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a detachable dinghy or tender, which, in one position, serves as an integral part of the trunk cabin of the sailing vessel, and wherein, when desired or required, the dinghy can be separated or detached from the sailing vessel.

A further object is to provide such a detachable dinghy or tender for a sail boat that provides an available dinghy or tender whenever needed or desired, wherein the present invention thus provides a construction that is in the nature of a'safety arrangement, since by detaching the dinghy or tender and inverting the same and placing it in the water, the dinghy or tender can be used to go ashore or the like.

Still another object is to provide such a detachable dinghy or tender for a medium sized sail boat wherein the unit is economical to manufacture and is efficient in operation, and which is also rugged in structure and fool-proof in use.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification and claims, together with the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts are referred to and indicated by like reference characters, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing the dinghy or tender in position as an integral portion of the trunk cabin of a sailing vessel.

FIG. 2 is a plan view.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view, taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken on the line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dinghy or tender per se.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the dinghy, with parts broken away and in section, and showing the transom removed.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view, taken on the line 7--7 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view, taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 5.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a sailing vessel or sail boat, which includes a main body portion 11, as well as a stern 12 and aft section 13, and the usual mast 14. The sail boat 10 further includes the trunk cabin l5, walkways 23, and the numeral 16 indicates a ladder that may be arranged in the sailing vessel. The numeral 17 indicates the upper portion or roof section of the trunk cabin 15, FIG. 3.

As shown in the drawings, the numeral 18 indicates a detachable dinghy or tender, which, when arranged in inverted position as shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, forms an integrated portion of the trunk cabin of the vessel. The numeral 19 indicates a grommet made of a suitable material, such as rubber, plastic, or the like, and the grommet 19 is arranged around the gunwale of the dinghy and the roof 17 of the trunk cabin, FIG. 4.

The dinghy 18 may be made ,so that it includes inner and outer wall sections 20 and 21 that are made of a suitable material such as fiberglass, and suitable flotation material 22 may be interposed between the inner and outer wall sections 20 and 21.

The dinghy 18 includes a removable or detachable transom 24 for a purpose to be later described. The numeral 25 indicates in FIG. 5 in broken lines seats that are removably mounted in the dinghy, and the seats 25 may be supported on elements 26. The numeral 27 indicates an element or extrusion that is adapted to be affixed to the upper portion of the sail boat, and the bracket 27 may consist of wall portions that are arranged angularly with respect to each other. As shown in FIG. 7, windows 29 are provided in the dinghy 18, and the windows 29 may consist of safety glass members that are mounted in suitable gromets 30 in the sides of the dinghy. There is further provided latch mechanisms 31 for selectively maintaining the transom 24 connected to the dinghy.

Similar latch mechanisms 31 are provided for connecting the dinghy to the sail boat. The latch mechanism 31 may include a support section 32, FIG. 8, and there is further provided a lever portion 33 having a curved finger engaging section 34. The lever 33 is pivotally connected as at 40 to a pin which is mounted on lugs 35, and the numeral 36 indicates a pin member that extends through the lever 33.

The member 32 includes a flange portion 41 on its end that is adapted to engage the head 37 of a securing element or bolt 38. The numeral 39 indicates a gasket made of a suitable material, such as rubber, that may be interposed between the transom 24 and the sides of the dinghy 18.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided a detachable dinghy or tender for a sailing vessel or sail boat, and in use, with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, it will be seen that the dinghy 18 is adapted to be arranged in a position such as that shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 when the dinghy is not being used. With the dinghy in the position of FIGS. 1 through 4, it will be seen that the dinghy occupies an inverted position, so that it forms the top portion or roof portion of the cabin of the sail boat.

In the event that it is necessary to abandon ship or if it is desired to use the dinghy 18 for any other purpose, such as for going ashore, it is only necessary to remove the dinghy 18 from the position shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, and move the dinghy to a position of so that it occupies a position such as that shown in FIG. 5, whereby the dinghy can be used to conveniently support one or more persons who wish to make use of the same.

When the dinghy 18 is in the position of FIGS. 1

through 4, the latches or clamps 31 serve to detachably connect and maintain the dinghy 18 in position on top of the sail boat. With the dinghy in this position, the transom 24 is removed, so that additional clearance or head space is provided for persons going into or out of the cabin area 15. An end portion of the dinghy 18 is adapted to be recessed or cut away as at 42 to provide clearance space for the detachable transom 24.

The upper portion of the sale boat 10 has the extrusion or member 27 affixed thereto so that when the dinghy 18 is in the position of FIGS. 1 through 4, the member 27 will help prevent spray or water from entering the cabin portion of the sail boat, and in addition, the member 27 will function as a wind breaker. As previously stated, the dinghy 18 has windows 29 therein, so that when the dinghy is in the inverted position of FIGS. 1 through 4, these windows permit sunlight to enter the interior of the cabin 15 through the windows.

The transom 24 is detachably or releaseably connected to the dinghy 18 by means of latches or clamps 31, and similarly, the dinghy 18 is detachably connected to the boat by similar latches 31 when the dinghy is in the position of FIGS. 1 through 4. These latches 31 may be of a manually operable type, so that, for example, when it is desired to separate the dinghy from the sail boat, it is only necessary to pivot the element 33 from the solid line position of FIG. 8 to the broken line position of FIG. 8, so that the member 32 can be moved free of an element such as the head 41 of the bolt 38. The element 33 is pivotally mounted on a pin such as the pin 40 to permit this action to take place. Similarly, the reverse procedure is followed when locking the parts in place, so that, as shown in FIG. 8, the parts can be moved to the solid line position in order to maintain the transom connected to the remaining portion of the dinghy, or in order to permit the dinghy to be fastened in place to the top of the sail boat.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes, as desired or required.

It will be seen that there has been provided a detachable dinghy or tender which also serves as an integral portion of the trunk cabin of a medium size cruising sailing vessel.

As is known, medium size sail boats designed for cruising and living aboard are usually equipped with a trunk cabin ahead of the cockpit which extends forward to or under the main mast, such as the mast 14, with deck passages such as the passages 23 on each side and ending at the foredeck. In boats between 20 and 35 foot lengths there is no room on deck for efficient storage. of the dinghy, so it must be either towed or lashed to the top of the trunk cabin. In heavy weather, in either case, the dinghy is subject to being swamped or carried away by a heavy sea, or the like.

Thus, it will be seen that the owner of such a size vessel is deprived of the advantages of a dinghy, such as cheaper mooring or anchoring instead of expensive and often unavailable slip or wharf anchoring.

With the present invention, by incorporating the dinghy or tender 18 as the upper portion of the trunk cabin in an inverted position, and providing quick release draw latches on the inside, there are many advantages to the owner. He can anchor anywhere and go ashore, explore shallow creeks, and if he hits a reef or has a fire, he has his lifeboat right on board. In addition, he also has extra head room in the trunk cabin which is always at a premium on this size boat.

Because practically most all boats of this size are made of fiberglass, the dinghy is adapted preferably also to be constructed of fiberglass, and by using the Sandwich method flotation could be incorporated for safety, and it will have insulation advantages when the dinghy is serving as the sides and top of the cabin.

Fixed plexiglass or safety glass windows 29 can be mounted in the sides of the dinghy to permit light into the interior of the cabin.

As shown in FIG. 4, a rubber grommet 19 may be arranged around the gunwale of the dinghy to provide a water tight seal between the dinghy and the roof of the rest of the trunk cabin. The broad triangular extrusion or shield 27 slopes toward the stern on the lower roof or the cabin to provide a secure seat and positioner for the front of the dinghy which may or may not be augmented by one or more draw latches inside thereof. The draw latches may have any suitable construction.

These latches will permit the dinghy 18 to be tipped up from the front or either side to allow more ventilation in warm climates.

Further, the thwarts or seats 25 of the dinghy are dropped into suitable retainers or slots or members 26 that may be molded into the inside of the dinghy when it is placed in the water, and these seats 25 may be removed from the dinghy when the dinghy is in the position of FIGS. 1 through 4, so that when the dinghy is serving as the cabin, there is provided uninterrupted head room.

Further, the transom or rear end 24 of the dinghy can be made removable by rubber grommeting, such as the grommeting 39, and using the draw latches 31 for securing it when it is used as a tender, and this provides the advantage of easier entrance and exit from the cabin.

The dinghies constructed for the purpose of the present invention may range from 6 feet long to 8 or 8 feet with proportionate beams.

Latches may be arranged in different locations, such as at the gunwale and at the transom.

It will be noted that upon removal of the upper trunk cabin to serve as the tender, the trunk cabin 15 will then be open and exposed to the elements. At this time protection may be afforded or provided by a soft, fitted vinyl cover that can be suitably secured around the edges by snap or dot type fasteners, or other type fasteners, such as slide fasteners, or the like. Such a protector could also be fitted with flexible bows fitted cross ways across the trunk cabin opening to facilitate run off of rain, and provide better head room if the cabin is in use while the dinghy is removed.

It is known that there have been prior inventions in this field, but these have been primarily concerned with life-saving or extending the boat from water to land or ice use. The principal advantage of the present invention is to provide a particular type and size of boat with an integrated portion that can be readily removed and reinstalled so as to increase the flexibility, range and usefullness of such medium cruising type sail boat with a consequent increase in value to its owner.

As previously stated, life saving capabilities are inherent in the design but are incidental to the prime purpose of the present invention.

Optional draw latches may be mounted in the dinghy to permit the removal and secure attachment of the transom or stem piece. The option of being able to remove this piece when the dinghy is serving as the trunk cabin provides much easier access to the cabin, and these draw latches may be similar to the ones used to secure the dinghy to the boat. One may be mounted inside longitudinally at the center line, and the other two at each side horizontally and just far enough below the gunwales so that they do not interfere with the vertically mounted latches which secure the dinghy to the boat.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but it is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

What I claim is:

1. In a water borne sailing vessel having a trunk cabin, a member in inverted position forming an integral portion of the top of the trunk cabin, and said member when in reversed position providing a dinghy, releasable latch means for selectively maintaining the member connected to the sailing vessel, and a V- shaped extrusion on the sailing vessel arranged forwardly of the dinghy when the dinghy is on top of the sailing vessel.

2. In a water borne sailing vessel having a trunk cabin, a member in inverted position forming an integral portion of the top of the trunk cabin, and said member when in reversed position providing a dinghy, releasable latch means for selectively maintaining the member connected to the sailing vessel, and a removable transom and seats for the dinghy.

3. A sailing vessel including a body portion having a deck, sides, a mast, and a trunk cabin area, said cabin area having a roof section, a detachable member providing a dinghy incorporated as the upper portion of the cabin area, a grommet around the gunwale of the dinghy on the roof or the trunk cabin, inner and outer wall sections having insulated material therebetween, said dinghy including a removable transom, and said dinghy including removable seats, an extrusion on the sailing vessel arranged forwardly of the dinghy when the dinghy is in inverted position on the sailing vessel, the dinghy having windows therein, and releasable latches for the transom of the dinghy, and releasable latches for connecting the dinghy to the sailing vessel.

4. The structure as defined in claim 3, wherein the latches are selectively unlocable and comprise a pivotally mounted support element, a retainer operatively connected to said pivotally mounted support element, and said pivotally mounted support element including a finger engaging portion for facilitating the manual actuation thereof. 

1. In a water borne sailing vessel having a trunk cabin, a member in inverted position forming an integral portion of the top of the trunk cabin, and said member when in reversed position providing a dinghy, releasable latch means for selectively maintaining the member connected to the sailing vessel, and a Vshaped extrusion on the sailing vessel arranged forwardly of the dinghy when the dinghy is on top of the sailing vessel.
 2. In a water borne sailing vessel having a trunk cabin, a member in inverted position forming an integral portion of the top of the trunk cabin, and said member when in reversed position providing a dinghy, releasable latch means for selectively maintaining the member connected to the sailing vessel, and a removable transom and seats for the dinghy.
 3. A sailing vessel including a body portion having a deck, sides, a mast, and a trunk cabin area, said cabin area having a roof section, a detachable member providing a dinghy incorporated as the upper portion of the cabin area, a grommet around the gunwale of the dinghy on the roof or the trunk cabin, inner and outer wall sections having insulated material therebetween, said dinghy including a removable transom, and said dinghy including removable seats, an extrusion on the sailing vessel arranged forwardly of the dinghy when the dinghy is in inverted position on the sailing vessel, the dinghy having windows therein, and releasable latches for the transom of the dinghy, and releasable latches for connecting the dinghy to the sailing vessel.
 4. The structure as defined in claim 3, wherein the latches are selectively unlocable and comprise a pivotally mounted support element, a retainer operatively connected to said pivotally mounted support element, and said pivotally mounted support element including a finger engaginG portion for facilitating the manual actuation thereof. 